Dear Family-                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

            And still it continues to rain.  The mud is terrific - it stops everything.  We’re up in the hills where there are no roads.  You can’t see ten feet in front of you because of the fog.  At the moment we’re halted until the rest of the army catches up.  This is straight stuff - General Clark extended his congratulations.  We’ve taken lots of prisoners.  But progress will always be slow here because of the terrain and the weather.  I’m well, have a slight cold, everybody does. WRITE                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                5 OCT 1944

            You’ll have to forgive the lack of letters - as you know Fifth Army is again attacked.  With the GOTHIC LINE broken the enemy stubbornly delays as he falls back to BOLOGNA.  Fighting to our front can be described as fierce.  And the outfit has been way out in front the whole way.  The men are doing the usual wonderful job.  Weather is foul with rain, and fog, and mud - thick, gluey mud.  The close air support is perfect and gives us a lot of assistance.  The enemy attempted a strong counterattack an hour ago, but was cut down by our artillery and small arms fire.                     

 

 

12 OCT. 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

            It’s still rough, but today we had dry weather - unusual for this part of the world.  Thousands of bombers went over today - all toward Bologna.  As for ground troops, we’re as close as anybody.  The fighting is still fierce - the Kraut wants to hold this ground despite newspaper reports to the contrary.  The men need a rest - their work here is as tough as anyplace in this war.  We’ve taken lots of prisoners - the majority, sorry looking and very much confused, but they still fight.  Our CP is now a on a road again for the first time in a month.  We’re now making a night attack against a hill 2,000 feet high that contains many pillboxes.                                                                                                                                        

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                 14 OCT. 1944

            We’re out for the line for a few days rest after 30 days of continuous fighting.  This past period was the hardest ever.  The ground was rugged, the weather always miserable, the resistance bitter, the casualties high.  You can’t begin to imagine the physical and mental weariness of front line troops after a sustained period in the line, always cold and wet, never seeing a bed or a light, eating cold rations, never washing, shaving, or brushing one’s teeth for weeks at a time, being constantly harassed by enemy artillery seeing your friends die.                                           

                                                                                                                                   

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                 15 OCT. 1944

            Today the whole world seems brighter.  Hot food, a shower, a drink of bourbon, and a good night sleep make everything OK again.  As we sit before a blazing fireplace and read a month’s accumulation of magazines and listen to the booming of artillery outside, the war seems far away.  An occasional Jerry shell “crunches” in to remind you that you’re only 2,000 yards from the front line.  But from the hills we can see the Po Valley and the valley looks mighty fine.  We’ll be in BOLOGNA soon.

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                18 OCT. 1944

            With eggs each morning for breakfast and mashed potatoes and steak for supper life is complete.  Funny how little things like that mean so much over here, and other things - elections, unions, organizations, political theory - mean so little.  Hope to visit Florence to see Katherine Cornell in “Barretts of Wimpole Street,” now playing there.  I am now sitting before the fireplace, writing by candlelight, and listening to a radio program of favorite old songs.                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                21 OCT. 1944

            I had a chance to visit FLORENCE.  Saw Katherine Cornell and Brian Aherne in “Barretts of Wimpole Street.”  It was an excellent rendition.  I spent a few hours looking about this ancient and medieval city.  Saw the cathedral - third largest in the world.  Also the PONTE VECCINO the ancient bridge over the Arno River and the only one the Boche didn’t destroy.  Fifth Army has an officers club at the best hotel with a nice little bar and a well catered dining room.  I had a pleasant day.   

                                                                                                                                   

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                 29 OCT. 1944

            I am well and in good shape.  This latest push has not been easy, but I’ll tell you more about that in a longer letter I’m in the process of writing.  Don’t need anything, though a few Christmas goodies would be appreciated.  Tell Chuck Healey the commander is COULTER - he’ll remember.  Write Auffy when you can - the life he leads is not pleasant - the poor private takes a beating in any way.  Heard from Beanie and Bob Martin - they’re both in England flying B-17’s.  The weather doesn’t improve and this battle of attrition continues.  Continue to write.                       

                                                                                                                                    Love, Henry